McCourt: "Since I’ve come in the lads have been flying."

12 July 2017

Jak McCourt admits that being handed the captain’s armband so soon into his Spireites career did come as a bit of a shock to him, but he very much enjoyed the responsibility.

McCourt - who joined on a free transfer from Northampton Town last weekend - played 45 minutes for the Spireites in last night’s 0-0 draw with Benfica B, captaining the side in the second half, it was an occassion he very much enjoyed.

He said: “It (being given the armband) came as a surprise to me, but I’m just happy to get back out onto the pitch and play.

“Since I’ve come in the lads have been flying, the fitness levels in the group is the best I’ve seen, that’s a credit to the manager, staff and the players for doing everything that they’ve been told.

“I try to be a leader as much as I can, I think that helps, most of the lads are leaders and to be honest I think it’s the best group that I’ve been in.”

It’s been a busy start to life at Chesterfield for McCourt, after signing on Saturday, he only met up with his new team mates at the airport on Sunday.

The Liverpool-born midfielder started his career at Leicester City before enjoying loan spells at Torquay United and Port Vale, before signing for Barnsley in January last year.

Prior to the start of last season, he joined the Cobblers making 26 appearances in Sky Bet League One, scoring once.

So, what can the Spireites supporters expect to see from McCourt?

“I like to get on the ball and play, I’ve got that nasty side to me as well which can help in the middle of the park,” he explained.

“Firstly, though I like to get on the ball and play, that’s the way the manager likes to play and that’s the way we will play.

“The main thing is that I’ll work hard and it’s drilled into us from day one by the manager, it’s all positive here.”

As well as getting used to new training methods, McCourt is also getting to know his team mates, many of whom he’s only played against previously, and he has been impressed with what he has seen thus far.

He added: “There are a lot of athletes in the team and you need that, with the senior players and the youngsters there is a great balance.

“It’s my first game down and the lads’ third or fourth and you can see out there that the lads are doing really well and the fitness levels are really high.”